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Room after room we go, with Bella acting very professional with her inquiries and Liv and her camera shutter driving me nuts, but in a good way.
I just observe her, so concentrated on her job that she wouldn’t give an earthquake the time of day. Or maybe she’s just ignoring me particularly hard today, who knows? My heart aches with that, but I can’t force my feelings on her.
At the end, when Bella goes to the bathroom and Liv is sitting on the couch checking the pictures she took, Harlan’s interest in her camera gives me an idea.
“Hey, buddy!” I kneel in front of him on the chair he’s sitting. “Do you want to take photographs when you grow up?”
The boy beams. Apparently, he hadn’t thought about the possibility, but now that I presented it to him, it opens a whole wide world.
“Yes!” he says, even shaking out of enthusiasm.
“Then why don’t you ask for Liv’s number so you can talk to her about it?” I suggest.
Harlan considers this for a moment, and in the very next second, he is pushing me out of his way, and running to his room to get his phone. He has a phone to use mainly for emergencies, but also for family and friends. I like the idea of Liv being a friend to Harlan.
When I look at Liv again, she’s giggling with my son’s sudden departure, and asks me, amused, “What’s gotten into him?”
“He liked your camera!” I say, pointing to it and turning around to sit facing her.
Chapter Seven
LIV
I’mintherestroomwhen I get a text from a strange number.
Liv?That’s all it says, waiting for my confirmation.
I frown with curiosity.
New phone, who is this?
I text back, and the person behind the unknown number starts typing immediately.
This is Alex.
I read itand instantly drop my phone. It lands on the bathroom rug under my feet.
I gather the device and place it on the counter, wash and dry my hands, and only then do I, standing against the sink in our tiny bathroom, look at my phone again.
I got your phone number from Harlan. Tsk, kid can’t keep a secret.
I snort.
How sneaky of you!I text it along a smiley face emoji to signal I’m not being serious.
Then I send another text.
Well, since you’re here, how can I help you?
Bella knocks on the door, seemingly in a hurry.
“Did you fall into the toilet?!”
“Alright, I’m coming out!” I open the door, and she passes by me with the urgency of someone saving their father from the gallows.
I stand where I am and recheck the messages. There’s a new one there, but I can barely look at it, my heart racing.
Just want to talk.He says it with a cute smiling face.
